Sears Fashion Show Success

”What a great day,” said Leslie Disheau, chair of the Seaway District High School parents council on Sunday, November 6, when Sears Iroquois and River Rat Treasures sponsored a fund raising show for Seaway. “The fashion clothing was just stunning and all the models looked amazing.”

The fashion show, which featured vendors as well as several door prizes and a 50/50 draw, earned $1,393 at the door. This amount will be matched through the generosity of the Morrisburg branch of the Scotia Bank, whose employees turned out to help with the event. “We will probably be close to $3,000,” Disheau said. Monies are still coming in from vendors and expenses are still being determined.

The fashion show was organized and staged by local Iroquois businesswoman, Candace Menges, owner of the Sears outlet, Candy’s Hair Salon and River Rat Treasures. Annually, Menges and Sears Iroquois present fashion shows as a fund raisers for local charities and organizations. This year, she was approached by the Seaway parents council for help.

“Technology in the classroom is our fund raising goal this year,” Disheau explained. “The money we raise will be used for SmartBoards, Elmos and science equipment for Seaway High.”

“This is my first time as a fashion model,” laughed Seaway principal Terry Gardiner, “and I will be mainly concentrating on not tripping. I really appreciate this special fund raiser for our school. It reflects visible community support for our 90 per cent graduation goal.”

Sixteen models of all ages showed school, casual, cruise and party wear from Sears. Guests attending the gala also had the opportunity to do a little early Christmas shopping from area vendors. Vendors also donated eight door prizes for lucky visitors.

The 50/50 draw was won by Heather Black and the Cuisinart Single Serve Coffee Machine was won by Lisa Bailey.

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Even though tickets sold out for Saturday’s Blok Family benefit fundraising dance , the community’s generosity didn’t stop with ticket sales.

The evening featured a live and silent auction, and by the time those were finished, more than $25,000 was raised to help Jessica (Beckstead) Blok and her family as she battles stage four rhabdomyosarcoma cancer. Jessica recently married Dustin Blok and the young couple have a baby daughter Autumn.

The Iroquois-Matilda Lions Club organized and hosted the event at Matilda Hall, January 10. Eddy and the Stingrays provided the entertainment, free of charge to allow all proceeds to go the family.

“Let’s help make a difference,” was our motto as we approached this event,” said Henry Swank, president of the Iroquois-Matilda Lions. “And, I think we did.”

Swank was ecstatic to announce the fundraising tally Monday morning. “I’m just damn proud of everyone,” he said. “Not just the Lions, but the family and friends and the community who supported this. This was a real unified effort.”

“What made it even more special was the family being there,” said Swank.

“We’re just really appreciative of everything everyone has done for us,” said Dustin.

“We need to say thanks to everyone. To everyone who donated, to the Lions and Tony (Hall) and family and friends thanks so much,” said Jessica.

The $25,000 tally only takes into account funds raised at Saturday’s benefit. At a recent regional meeting of area Lions Clubs, Swank made an appeal to all the area clubs to contribute to the Blok family, so even more money will be raised for this family.

Shortly after the print deadline, members of the Lions club updated the fundraising total for the event to over $31,000.

Casper, is a German Shepherd, aptly named for his unusual white colouring. He is friendly and house trained (not neutered) and is about seven years old. Since he was a pup, he has lived in a loving home with his loving, forever best friend. Having come from a single person (male) environment, Casper would probably flourish in a quiet home. He has been at the South Dundas Shelter close to two weeks, where he has been allowed to come to terms with his devastating loss. It is so hoped that this beautiful dog can find a loving, comfortable home to replace the one he has lost.

Ten dogs at the South Dundas Shelter.

There were no adoptions at the South Dundas Animal Shelter this past week. Anyone interested in adopting a dog is invited to please call Kevin at 613-543-2980 to meet any of the dogs there. With just eight indoor kennels, it has been difficult pairing some of the dogs so all are indoors and out of the extreme cold of the last week.

This is a public service column. The Leader accepts no responsibility for the dogs or the adoption process.

After 12 hours of budget deliberations, South Dundas council has decided that ratepayers will see their property taxes increase for 2016, but have not yet settled on the exact amount. South Dundas council held its […]